Recent Comments

Below is the rushing averages from the spring game - - I don't think we have large enough of a sample size to set expectations for any of these backs

Holmes 3.4 yds / carry
Edmunds 1.4 yds / carry
JCC -0.5 yds / carry
Mangus -1.3 yds / carry

We have spent a ton of time talking about the basics. The next level is developing route running, play design, and then synching play design so Logan's first read is immediate when he plants his back foot on his drop. His second read makes their break when Logan checks away from his first read (instead of just going into a scramble drill), and the third read is a check down where the route develops AFTER Logan goes through his first checks.

Pretty much since Ricky Bustle left, the route design was not layered and didn't compliment the QB drop and reads. For example, if you run double in routes from twins to the short side of the field, with the inside route being the first read, and the first check is covered, the second read has already completed their cut by the time the QB has looked at him, and the defender has had time to recover. (See Aqib Talib in the Orange Bowl.)

Offensive line will be my initial focus in the scrimmage, but if I reach a level of comfort with their performance, the next place I am looking is to see if the receivers routes creates easy reads for the QB so Logan can throw in rhythm.

That is what I hope happens. The former coaches only subsitituted situationally based on down and distance IF the running back that was up in the rotation was ineffective in pass blocking or was not a threat as a check down. I would much prefer to see, rather than a predetermined running back rotation, that players are utilized at the right time and the right situation on the field. Coleman is dangerous as a pass catching threat if the play design gets him the ball in a position to make a play (far too often the running back checkdown last year was running 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the right flat, which is only dangerous if the back has a TON of space.) He also has gamebreaking speed, and I expect that he will be a tougher player to tackle this year. If the Hokies do feature any spread or read option (which we didn't see much of in the spring but Loeffler did use some at Auburn), Coleman will get carries. To aid him, let's hope that the Grimes-coached offensive line uses wider splits and still can effectively control gaps. If they can, then Coleman becomes much more dangerous in space.

Both Trey and JC can be elite backs. They did not get that 4 star rating by being bums. I am unsure of how Mangus fits yet. I loved his speed on his high school film, but he was completely ineffective in the spring. If I remember correctly, Daniel Dyer had several effective runs, but I can't recall Mangus getting any positive yardage against the first team defense after the first play of the scrimmage.

Pretty badass! Just imagine Hokie Stone and recycled Wild Turkey bottles all over!

That's why Alumni Band is great (and we get to wear those sweet Band Sweaters!)

Finally got to a real machine and fixed all the stupid, random, apple deletions. Sorry.

...standing still for 5 seconds, then falling down...

In my opinion this is mostly a case of everybody lamenting "the good ol days." I think the fan base has gotten a little complacent between the lack of big wins, failure to get over the 10 win hump, and inconsistent, sputtering offense. As a result fans aren't quite as loud or raucous as they were during VT's meteoric rise to the cusp of a national title, but is that really surprising?

Additionally, the home slate has been rather poor in the last couple years, with lots of noon games against mediocre to bad opponents, while our big games have frequently been played at neutral sites. I'm not sure I buy that the stands were packed and fans were fired up and loud the whole game for noon kickoffs against Florida A&M, JMU, and Arkansas State even in the glory days. Hell, I love football and I'm not sure you could pay me to watch the 2008 Furman or Western Kentucky games again. It was miserable football to watch, and casual fans aren't going to stay engaged in that situation. Anyway, what I'm getting at is the fans still seem to get pretty fired up for big games/moments during night games or against decent opponents, but there have been a couple years recently where our schedule has been sparse on those types of games.

"Wow...that Cock O really gave it to the Trojans"

...or...

"The Cock O really had a difficult day getting through that Trojan line"

I was thinking more along the lines of; "I'm picking the Trojans to cover..."

"i really like how those trojans are wrapping up the cock ball carriers bob."